Institute for Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Parans Paranthaman, who holds a joint appointment at UT and ORNL, has been named the 2026 R&D 100 Researcher of the Year. His work in battery, superconductor, superhydrophobic coating, and critical material recovery technologies has resulted in more than 100 inventions over the last three decades.
UT researchers are helping Tennessee become a leader in the development and production of high-performance, bio-derived materials. Their work spans the cultivation of natural resources with the right structural and chemical properties; the design and manufacture of bio-derived products that meet industry needs; and the development of responsible product end-of-life solutions.
UT is working with Kairos Power, Oak Ridge National Lab, the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), Barnard Construction, and local schools to advance new methods for nuclear technology and develop training opportunities for the workforce. The Nuclear Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Precast (NuCAMP) takes a holistic approach with insights from industry, research, academic, and workforce partners.
UT is raising the bar in research excellence with the addition of eight exceptional researchers, three of whom are tackling pressing challenges related to advanced materials. Two new UT-ORNL Governor’s Chairs focus on circular biomaterials and quantum materials and devices, respectively. Another new professor focuses on multiscale modeling of materials and structures under extreme conditions.
UT has signed a new six-year master research agreement with Eastman that will deepen a decade-long collaboration and accelerate the development of innovative technologies in multiple fields. The agreement will support sponsored research, service agreements and a range of university-industry initiatives.
UT has won $20 million from the NSF to establish ATHENA (Advanced Testbed for High-throughput Experimentation in Nano- and Atomic Science), one of twenty US research hubs that will form a national network of AI-powered laboratories to accelerate scientific discovery.
